I recently received an email from my Aunt Lynette.  Being the fun aunt that she is, the email was full of interesting questions.  Instead of simply replying to her email, I thought I should post my answers for everyone.

Lynette: Do you have to wear a uniform where you work? I’m sure you both look cute in them if you do.

We do wear uniforms at the lodge.  And I think we look rather exceptional.  Especially Justin’s jumpsuit (read: adult onesie) that he wears for maintaining the grounds and other dirty work. (Pictures coming soon)

Justin:  “You should see me try to get that thing off.”

Lynette: I have a few more “weird Auntie” questions, if you don’t mind……

Weird?  No, never.  They are “FUN Auntie questions” and I am thrilled to answer each one.

Lynette: What is the average temperature during the summer?

The temperature in Te Anau fluctuates rapidly.  In fact, the locals say it is normal to experience “four seasons in a day.”  Wake up feeling frosty, but by 2 pm it’s sunny and 80*, then around 4 pm a cloud sweeps over hiding the sun and it’s suddenly a comfortable 60*.  Who knows what the weather will bring?  Every day is an adventure.  It’s fascinating to look at the mountains, as they always look different, depending upon the angle of the sun, the amount of cloud coverage etc.

However, most of New Zealand (like on the north island) experiences an extremely enjoyable summer.  From what I’ve heard it sounds like it would be rather similar to a Michigan summer.

Lynette: How close are you to the beach?

We are about a half hour from the beach.  Though, I must admit, due to our complex weather in Te Anau, I have not taken my chances at the beach yet.  But I am sure as the summer continues I will plan to spend a day off at the beach.

Lynette: How much is gas per gallon there?

It’s $NZ 1.46 per liter.  Upon converting the liters to gallons and the Kiwi dollars to U.S. dollars, it means that gas is about $2.95 per gallon.  From what I’ve heard it’s currently cheaper to buy gas in the States.

Lynette: Do they have McDonalds?

Yes, New Zealand has McDonalds, but only in the larger cities.  Te Anau didn’t make the cut, it’s too small.  Actually, I think a McDonalds would get loads of business from summer tourists.  Business would suffer as winter comes and the bus loads of Japanese or Germans aren’t stopping by for fries.

A classic kiwi bird

Upon arriving to New Zealand I had a few people find out that I was American and some of them asked me about McDonalds in the States.  They wanted to know about the size options.  I joked around and said, “Super Size me!” and that’s when I learned that New Zealand doesn’t roll like us.  All of the proportion sizes are smaller.  I didn’t believe it. McDonalds is the same everywhere, right?  To test it out I bought a medium fry.  Sure enough, it was about the size of a small fry in the States.  Do they still put the small fry in a wax coated paper bag?

The McDonalds here does has a few special items like the Kiwi Burger, but I am not sure how that differs from a regular burger. Being a vegetarian I didn’t try the Kiwi Burger.  Aunt Lynette, I wish you would have been there.  Then you could have told me what the Kiwi Burger really is.  It’s not the kiwi fruit sliced on top.  Although, if someone said, “Have you tried the new kiwi burger?”, I would have initially pictured the bright green fruit freshly sliced onto of a steaming all beef patty.  Here in New Zealand, a Kiwi is a type of bird, but I can’t imagine they would kill thousands of Kiwi birds each year to satisfy McDonald’s customers.

Lynette: Where are most of the tourists from, that visit your hotel, Europeans, US ?

I have met Americans on vacation from San Francisco, Boston, D.C. and Chicago,  to name a few.  I have also met guests on holiday from England, Belgium, Germany, Holland, and Australia.  We even have some of the Belgium Royal Family staying at the Lodge over Christmas.  Tragically, this does mean that Justin and I will be working hard Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I’ll be serving breakfast for 23 the morning after Christmas, but don’t worry, I’ll have one or two of the lodges gourmet chefs to prepare all the bacon and eggs.  I just have to focus on not dropping food in the laps of the royal family.  Overall, if you have to work on Christmas evening, at least share the evening with a royal family,- even if you are the one pouring the wine, instead of sitting by the fire sipping it

Thanks Aunt Lynette!  I hope I have satisfied your questions and have allowed you to understand New Zealand culture a little more.  Enjoy Christmas and being together with everyone as a family.  I would quickly trade the entire Royal Belgium Family to spend Christmas at grandma and grandpa’s.  Have fun!

Tags | New Zealand